Yohannes Desalegn, a father of two, stares at his once-prized motorcycle. Five years ago, it symbolised a path to financial security through the delivery business. Now, it sits as a glaring reminder of a dream turning sour. Years of saving as a graphic designer yielded 58,000 Br, enough to purchase the motorbike and launch his entrepreneurial journey.

"I'm going to start sending my kids to public school," Yohannes told Fortune.

For a few years, the steady hum of the engine translated to success – a daily income of around 2,500 Br. But a cascade of restrictions by the transport authorities has choked that income stream. He is facing a harsh reality: 1,500 Br a week, barely enough to make ends meet.

"We are struggling," he sighs, the weight of his worries etched on his face.

The crackdown on Addis Abeba's motorcyclists has intensified. Frequent bans during high-profile events became a norm, with authorities recently restricting them from major roads during the African Union (AU) Summit and Adwa Victory celebrations. This follows concerns raised by the Addis Abeba Traffic Management Authority about a few of the nearly 20,000 motorcycles in the city being used for illegal activities. Former deputy mayor Takele Uma, enacted the first wave of bans back in 2019 after reports of lawlessness and burglary by pairs of individuals hitched on motorbikes proliferated.

Mulatu Mesfin, head of the regulatory control directorate at the Authority, cites motorcycle theft and robbery as major reasons for the mandatory installation of GPS devices.

"We wanted to track what they do," he said.

Mulatu is confident that the technology, supplied by 14 companies for an annual fee of 4,000 Br, has helped reduce crime rates. He indicated benefits to the bikers as they can weed out the thieves from the workers.

The mandatory GPS devices seem to be a point of contention as well. Wondwossen Ayele, general manager of Giza Trading, a company that has installed over 1,500 of these devices, blames both lax enforcement by authorities and rider tampering for their ineffectiveness. He explains that the devices could be disabled by unplugging them, removing the SIM cards, or even uninstalling them entirely.

Further efforts to improve safety and reduce accidents include the recent launch of digital licenses, a collaborative project between the Authority and the Addis Abeba Police Commission that integrates driver and vehicle data. A team of experts is expected to be deployed within the next two weeks to refine regulations for motorcyclists.

According to Mulatu, consultations with motorcycle associations took place before implementing these measures, addressing potential complaints about the cost of technology devices. With only half of the motorbikes in the capital sporting the devices, and riders known to tamper with them, the effectiveness of the program remains in question.

Frustration mounts among motorcycle associations like the Nifas Silk Laphto, which boasts 500 members. Their leader, Tadios Hailu, expresses the growing hardship caused by the string of bans and subsequent arrests, jeopardising their livelihoods. He points out a lack of proper communication recalling a recent instance where the three-day motorcycle ban was solely announced on social media and 18 members were arrested for trespassing.

"There's barely any word when a ban hits," he told Fortune.

Adding fuel to the fire is the financial strain. According to Tadios, the mandatory GPS devices come with an annual fee of 4,000 Br, a significant burden for riders already struggling with dwindling incomes due to the restrictions. He proposes a more targeted approach. Instead of blanket bans, Tadios suggests the authorities could identify association members through better communication, preventing unnecessary arrests.

"Even I wasn't informed the last time!" he said.

Frustration continues to simmer as another curveball was thrown at motorcyclists two months ago. They were restricted from major roads between Bole International Airport and Arat Kilo, adding to the uncertainty clouding their future.

Alazar Taye, head of the 392-member Addis Abeba Motorcycle Owners Association, was blindsided by the announcement. He foresees not only wasted fuel but also unnecessary complications for riders trying to navigate the city. He believes the city's roads have ample space to accommodate motorcyclists who rely on their two-wheeled vehicles for their livelihood. He's also been pleading with authorities to lift the ban on carrying passengers.

"We've written letters to the Authority," he told Fortune.